32 TV Episodes To Watch If You're Trying To Get Into That Show Everyone Keeps Recommending

    The pilot episode isn't always the best one...

    There's nothing more frustrating than finally managing to convince someone to watch a show you've been raving about, only for them to give up after the first episode.

    The pilot is just never the one that makes you stan a show, so we asked the BuzzFeed Community which episode they'd pick to get someone to commit to watching more than one episode. Here are some of the best responses:

    1. Parks and Recreation: "The Fight" — Season 3, Episode 13

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    3 Arts Entertainment / Via youtu.be

    "It’s the episode that got me hooked. It’s perfect because it throws the entire cast together for a good chunk of the episode, and we get to enjoy the hilarity of both extreme intoxication and the most brutal hangover of all time. 

    The consecutive talking heads in the bar following Donna’s rat poison line is probably one of the greatest scenes in Parks and Rec."

    primavolta

    2. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: "The Nightman Cometh" — Season 4, Episode 13

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    Bluebush Productions / Via youtu.be

    "Hands down the best episode!! I showed both my brother and my best friend this episode (separately) to convince them to watch the show, and now, they're both obsessed!!"

    caitlinrose013

    3. Black Mirror: "Be Right Back" — Season 2, Episode 1

    4. Veronica Mars: "Pilot" — Season 1, Episode 1

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    Hulu / Via youtu.be

    "It's such an amazing setup episode."

    steinbeck32

    5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine: "The Party" — Season 1, Episode 16

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    NBC / Via youtu.be

    "Terry tries (with difficulty) to get the squad to 'be appropriate' at Captain Holt's birthday party, which they were invited to at the last minute. It's my favorite episode, and every person in the cast is absolutely hilarious!" 

    ashleya41afa3f4e

    6. Bob's Burgers: "Tina-Rannosaurus Wrecks" — Season 3, Episode 7

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    20th Century Fox / Via youtu.be

    "Just the first two minutes is enough to keep me laughing all day."

    alandavanv

    7. The Mindy Project: "Danny and Mindy" — Season 2, Episode 22

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    Kaling International / Via youtube.com

    "I am absolutely obsessed with The Mindy Project. I recently binged the series from beginning to end, and I was really fascinated with Danny and Mindy's relationship.

    I wanted my boyfriend to watch it with me so I had him watch the episode "Danny and Mindy" from Season 2. The episode perfectly encapsulates their relationship as well as the relationships between Mindy and her coworkers. I have watched this episode at least 10 times. I can't get enough of it."

    karynp4ceb39744

    8. Community: "Remedial Chaos Theory" — Season 3, Episode 4

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    Sony Pictures Television / Via youtube.com

    "Community is such a good show that I feel goes unnoticed by so many people. This episode is brilliantly written and hilarious. Community screws around with what most people expect a sitcom to be. 

    Also, it's where that awesome GIF of Troy walking in with a stack of pizzas while everything is on fire and everyone is freaking out is from."

    mourastewart

    9. Sense8: "What's Going On?" — Season 1, Episode 4

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    Netflix / Via youtu.be

    "Sense8 Season 1, Episode 4, "What's Going On?" was the one that really stood out for me at the beginning. So much raw intertwined emotions linking everyone together to THAT song..."

    hannahc19

    10. Peep Show: "Shrooming" — Season 3, Episode 3

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    Channel 4 / Via youtu.be

    "Peep Show: Season 3, Episode 3. "I need a poo!" They'll be hooked for sure."

    noeramonca

    11. Frasier: "The Matchmaker" — Season 2, Episode 3

    12. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: "Turn, Turn, Turn" — Season 1, Episode 17 OR "Self Control" — Season 4, Episode 15

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    Marvel Television / Via youtu.be

    "Both episodes were filled with plot twists and action, and they give a good picture of what the show is like. Chances are, if somebody likes either of those episodes, they’ll like this show."

    skyewardfitzsimmonscaptasha

    13. The Office: "Stress Relief" — Season 5, Episode 14

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    NBC Universal Television / Via youtu.be

    "The opening scene where Dwight sets the office on fire because no one was paying attention during his fire safety seminar earlier in the week literally seals the deal for the show. Michael having a total breakdown, Kevin throwing a chair at the vending machine, Angela throwing Bandit! It’s just absolute comedic genius and sums up the dynamic of the whole office!"

    kelsey_ros

    "If I am trying to convince someone to watch The Office, I always tell them to watch “Stress Relief.” From the opening scene through the whole episode I die laughing. Nothing is better than Oscar falling through a ceiling."

    brittanyc4dcf5a24a

    14. Orphan Black: "Entangled Bank" — Season 1, Episode 8

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    BBC America / Via youtu.be

    "It is an incredible episode, the cinematography is stunning, and I feel like it is the one episode that encompasses the best of Orphan Black and what the show is about."

    pepsicolaghosts

    15. Doctor Who: "Blink" — Season 3, Episode 10

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    BBC / Via youtu.be

    "That episode is the best example for Doctor Who’s best qualities: time travel, mysterious plots, tear-worthy moments, and scary monsters. Even though the Doctor doesn’t show up much, it makes up for that with everything else."

    bejo01

    "It's a stand-alone episode so you don't need to have watched the whole series to get into it. But the plot and suspense and fantasy of it pull you in to the Whoniverse and makes you want to start from the beginning!"

    alliem485af951b

    16. Kim's Convenience: "Family Singing Contest" — Season 1, Episode 13

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    Netflix / Via youtu.be

    "Didn't think this show would get me so emotional, but aside from the simple-hearted comedy, I love the dynamics of the family's relationships with each other. Very relatable and can hit home to so many people who have struggled with their own relationships with their parents. The last 10 minutes had my eyes sweating like no other. Loved this season finale."

    user2468

    17. I May Destroy You: "Ego Death" — Season 1, Episode 12

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    HBO / Via youtu.be

    "This episode is truly amazing from start to finish, and it will take you on the wildest journey of emotions and anxiety. It is a very satisfying and well-executed retrospective into morality and humanity with such a unique and unparalleled point of view. Michaela Coel is an ARTIST, and she literally never disappoints me. Fingers crossed there will be a second season!"

    thefendiprint

    18. Teen Wolf: "Motel California" — Season 3, Episode 6

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    MGM Television / Via youtu.be

    "I love the show Teen Wolf, and even though it totally sucks by the end, I would suggest they watch Episode 3x06, which is called "Motel California." It has everything I love about the show: heart, drama, action, and mystery! Also, all the characters are looking GOOD in that episode."

    sophiestein23

    "This episode is honestly one of my favorites; the plot is intense, it's well acted with mixes of both action scenes, a slight bit of comedy, and some heartfelt moments and really gives you a great sense of the show without spoiling major plot points in the season."

    kelsey9919

    19. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "Hush" — Season 4, Episode 10

    An image of two humanoid monsters in black suits with black shirts. They are bald, have deepset eyes with lots of black shadow around, dark veins and deep lines on their faces, and pointy teeth.

    20. Supernatural: "Mystery Spot" — Season 3, Episode 11

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    Warner Bros. Television / Via youtu.be

    "It encompasses many aspects of the show. The humor, the brotherly bond between Sam and Dean, the struggle of living the life of monster hunting, and much more. It's one of my all-time favorite episodes."

    jordanh452db4d1b

    21. The IT Crowd: "The Work Outing" — Season 2, Episode 1

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    Channel 4 / Via youtu.be

    "I'll tell anyone who'll listen that my fave episode of anything ever is IT Crowd's "The Work Outing." The main characters go to a gay musical called Gay, and it is ridiculous and hilarious."

    bigfaye22

    22. Mr. Robot: "407 Proxy Authentication Required" — Season 4, Episode 7

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    Amazon Prime Delivery / Via youtube.com

    "It's that one episode which broke my heart and made me sob to the point of exhaustion. I felt like protecting Elliot and Krista here. Rami Malek shined through even more in this episode and worked tirelessly expressing Elliot's fear, determination, breakdown, and exhaustion."

    tanyam44ab2253d

    23. Taxi Driver: "Driver! Come to Your Senses!" (also known as "Do Gi Crashes the Party") — Season 2, Episode 13

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    Netflix / Via youtu.be

    "The episode "Driver! Come to Your Senses!" from the Korean series Taxi Driver. Lee Je Hoon is SO amazing in this series and carried it on his back. His character Kim Do-Gi is a HUGE departure from most bad boy/detective characters he played namely Jun-Seok in Time to Hunt, Park Hae-Yeung in Signal, and Cho Sang Gu in Move to Heaven, and he is more of a femme fatale warrior. 

    Even Kim Eui-Sung, Pyo Ye-Jin, and Esom did such good supporting performances. This series deserves the same hype and recognition as Girl from Nowhere, Squid Game, Sweet Home, and Alice in Borderland."

    tanyam44ab2253d

    24. Brothers & Sisters: "Something Ida This Way Comes" — Season 1, Episode 13

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    Touchstone Television / Via youtu.be

    "Brothers & Sisters is my all-time favorite show, and this is hands down my favorite episode, because it is the one that makes me laugh the hardest, regardless of how many times I’ve already seen it.

    The premise of the episode that brings the ensemble together for a milestone birthday wonderfully showcases the heart, wit, and warmth that I loved about the series since the pilot."

    mavmag

    25. Pretty Little Liars: "Welcome to the Dollhouse" — Season 5, Episode 25

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    Netflix / Via youtu.be

    "Need I say more? This episode is AMAZING and showed such a shift from what we were used to! It was so well done. The only episode that can rival the two Dollhouse episodes would probably be 'Escape from New York.'"

    a_classic_rose

    26. The 100: "Murphy's Law" — Season 1, Episode 4

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    Warner Bros / Via youtu.be

    "For The 100: “Murphy’s Law” (S1E4) is the episode I always tell new viewers that they have to get to before they can decide whether to stick with it. That's when the show goes from silly apocalyptic CW teen show to intense survival and political drama set post apocalypse.

    But best episodes overall to just get people interested? "Blood Must Have Blood" Pt1 and Pt2 (S2E15 and S2E16), "Die All, Die Merrily" (S4E10), and "Praimfaya" (S4E13)."

    foragoodtimenotalongtime

    27. Workaholics: "A TelAmerican Horror Story" — Season 3, Episode 12

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    Comedy Central / Via youtu.be

    "Not only my favorite episode of the entire show, but one of the funniest episodes of television I’ve ever seen! I watch it every Halloween season and still crack up every time Robert Englund (best cameo ever!) tells Adam that he’s his 'strong boy.'"

    hellocomputer1701

    28. Monk: "Mr. Monk and the T.V. Star" — Season 2, Episode 12

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    ABC Signature / Via youtu.be

    "Monk has remained my go-to comfort show for many years thanks to the suspenseful mysteries that are coupled with its signature feel-good and quick-witted comedy. 

    I think this episode is the perfect one to recommend to a new viewer, because the intriguing case at the center of it is punctuated by some of the show's early seasons’ funniest moments."

    capcadet

    29. Fresh Off the Boat: "How to be an American" — Season 3, Episode 9

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    20th Century Fox Television / Via youtu.be

    "So many laughs. Evan is so funny. Love this show! His reaction is the best. Also the revelation of Jessica's past and what it was, was so touching."

    dacies19

    30. Black-ish: "If a Black Man Cries in the Woods..." — Season 8, Episode 12

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    ABC Signature / Via youtu.be

    "I cried, I felt joy. The performances could not have been better, the storyline. The twins, looking back on their evolution, my heart is full. I can't wait to see how this ends."

    mudbone-42885

    31. Daredevil: "Blindsided" — Season 3, Episode 4

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    Netflix / Via youtu.be

    "Daredevil Season 3, Episode 4. The hallway fight scene. Perfection."

    frenzicartist

    32. Ted Lasso: "Trent Crimm: The Independent" — Season 1, Episode 3

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    Apple TV+ / Via youtu.be

    "It's not necessarily the best episode, but the one that first made me think this show is special. You also get to look at James Lance a ton, which is always great."

    esjm

    What would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments!